Lighting device for dental or medical instrument, and dental or medical instrument having lighting device

Abstract

Disclosed is a lighting device for use with a dental or medical instrument having a tool in the distal part of the instrument for treatment of a site. The lighting device includes a plurality of LEDs and an LED holder encasing the plurality of LEDs and capable of being mounted on a distal part of the instrument. The LEDs are arranged so as to illuminate the site substantially without casting a shadow on the site in treatment when the LED holder is mounted on the instrument. Also disclosed is a dental or medical instrument including a tool in the distal part of the instrument for treatment of a site and a lighting device. The lighting device further includes a plurality of LEDs and an LED holder encasing the LEDs and provided in the distal part of the instrument. The LEDs are arranged so as to illuminate the site substantially without casting a shadow on the site in treatment.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A lighting device for use with a dental or medical instrument having a tool in a distal part of said instrument for treatment of a site, said lighting device comprising: 
       a plurality of light emitting diodes, and  
       an LED holder encasing said plurality of light emitting diodes and capable of being mounted on a distal part of said instrument,  
       wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged so as to illuminate said site substantially without casting a shadow on said site in treatment when said LED holder is mounted on said instrument,  
       wherein said light emitting diodes are covered with heat resistant material, and  
       wherein said lighting device does not have optical fibers as a light guide.  
     
     
       2. The lighting device of  claim 1 , wherein said LED holder substantially has a shape selected from the group consisting of an annular shape and a horseshoe shape, and wherein said light emitting diodes are arranged so as to be disposed substantially around said tool when said LED holder is mounted on said instrument. 
     
     
       3. The lighting device of  claim 2 , wherein said light emitting diodes are arranged substantially at regular intervals. 
     
     
       4. The lighting device of  claim 1 , wherein said LED holder is capable of being fixedly mounted on said distal part of said instrument. 
     
     
       5. The lighting device of  claim 1 , wherein said LED holder is capable of being detachably mounted on said distal part of said instrument. 
     
     
       6. The lighting device of  claim 5  further comprising a clip attached to said LED holder, said clip capable of detachably engaging with said instrument to detachably hold said LED holder with respect to said distal part of said instrument. 
     
     
       7. The lighting device of  claim 6 , wherein said clip is integrally formed with said LED holder. 
     
     
       8. A dental or medical instrument comprising: 
       a tool in a distal part of said instrument for treatment of a site, and  
       a lighting device comprising:  
       a plurality of light emitting diodes, and  
       an LED holder encasing said plurality of light emitting diodes and provided in said distal part of said instrument,  
       wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged so as to illuminate said site substantially without casting a shadow on said site in treatment,  
       wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes are covered with a heat resistant material, and  
       wherein said lighting device does not have optical fibers as a light guide.  
     
     
       9. The instrument of  claim 8 , wherein said LED holder is integrally formed on said distal part of said instrument. 
     
     
       10. The instrument of  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged substantially around said tool substantially in a shape selected from the group consisting of an annular shape and a horseshoe shape. 
     
     
       11. The instrument of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged substantially at regular intervals. 
     
     
       12. The instrument of  claim 8 , wherein said LED holder is fixedly mounted on said distal part of said instrument. 
     
     
       13. The instrument of  claim 8 , wherein said LED holder is detachably mounted on said distal part of said instrument. 
     
     
       14. The instrument of  claim 13 , wherein said lighting device further comprises a clip attached to said LED holder, said clip capable of detachably engaging with said instrument to detachably hold said LED holder with respect to said distal part of said instrument. 
     
     
       15. The instrument of  claim 14 , wherein said clip is integrally formed with said LED holder. 
     
     
       16. The instrument of  claim 8 , wherein said LED holder substantially has a shape selected from the group consisting of an annular shape and a horseshoe shape, and wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged substantially around said tool. 
     
     
       17. The instrument of  claim 16 , wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged substantially at regular intervals.